Dockers list their eight debutante for the season

VideoSam Switkowski becomes the eight debutante for the club this year, the most out of any club in the AFL.

Fremantle captain Nat Fyfe will make a determined bid this week to prove his fitness for a comeback showdown with rival superstar Patrick Dangerfield on Saturday.

Fyfe will miss his sixth consecutive game with a hamstring injury when the Dockers host Carlton at Optus Stadium today, but he is a chance to return against Geelong and their big-name midfield at GMHBA Stadium next weekend.

If Fyfe is cleared to take on the Cats, it will be just the second time he has crossed paths with Dangerfield since the pair’s epic head-to-head duel at Adelaide Oval three years ago when they had a combined 78 touches when Dangerfield played for Adelaide.

It would also be Fyfe’s first appearance in Geelong since round two, 2015, when he produced arguably the most dazzling performance of his career to announce himself as the best player in the competition. On that day he had 36 disposals and kicked three goals, including a second straight goal-of-the-week winner after powering through four opposition players before snapping truly.

Fyfe only has until Wednesday to prove his fitness, with the team due to fly east on Thursday. If the 26-year-old misses the game against Geelong he is still expected to aim to play in the final round of the season against Collingwood, which shapes as an emotional farewell to several retiring veterans, rather than giving up on the season.

Sam Switkowski becomes the eight debutante for the club this year, the most out of any club in the AFL.

The West Australian

VideoSam Switkowski becomes the eight debutante for the club this year, the most out of any club in the AFL.

Having made six changes last weekend, the Dockers have made another five for today’s game against last-placed Carlton as they aim to rebound following their 58-point defeat to West Coast — their heaviest western derby loss in 18 years.

Mature-age draftee Sam Switkowski will make his debut, becoming Fremantle’s eighth first-gamer to be unveiled this season.

The 21-year-old Switkowski, taken from the VFL with pick 73 in last year’s national draft, was likened to Hayden Ballantyne by coach Ross Lyon.

The 178cm small forward said his pressure was his best asset.

“I can’t guarantee I’ll come out and get 20 touches or three goals, but I’ll be defending super hard and trying all day. Running hard and doing the little things and playing my role for the team, and hopefully that’s what will help us improve and get the result that we want,” Switkowski said.